BEIJING -- While negotiations continue on the fate of the American EP-3E surveillance aircraft, diplomats and intelligence experts now fear that a powerful supercomputer may have been on board and removed as hopes of recovering the craft wane. With the ability to perform of one billion calculations per second, the Apple PowerMac G4 is considered a dangerous technology whose export is banned to many countries including China. Most analysts agree the loss may prove devisive to American intelligence on China.
   
    However, evidence shows that the loss could be even worse. According to Army documents:

Loaded with features that give you the power to make Desktop Movies, create your own music CDs and even author DVD titles, the Power Mac G4 is hands down the most evolved computer — make that supercomputer — on the planet.

    Officials in the United States say the plane is effectively like US state territory so it must not be boarded or inspected under the terms of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Orbiting satellites have often provided overhead views of the plane resting on Chinese tarmac, and US officials say newer photographs provide evidence that China is not following their demands. "We have new satellite images," said Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Peter F. Verga, "clearly showing Chinese intelligence agents entering the plane, inspecting it, storing bales of rice inside of it and milling corn against its wings, in blatent violation of international law."
   
    However if the plane has been stripped of all its equipment, certainly the crucial G4 unit inside will be among the technology removed. "As soon as Chinese scientist reverse-engineer Apple's proprietary heat-senstive on-button technology, their surveiling power will be greatly augmented," said Carnegie-Mellon computer science professor Yo-Ping Wei, "They could watch a DVD, listen to MP3s on using Apple's iTunes software or search for alien life using the SETI@Home screensaver."
   
   

US intelligence officials say this crude image can only be evidence that the Chinese have acquired Photoshop technology loaded on the EP-3E's G4 supercomputer.

Even more troubling is the myriad of "killer apps" which come standard on every new G4. Apple's Quicktime software alone has been responsible for 47 deaths worldwide since it was released five years ago.
   
    However there may be some consolation, according to unverified internal Apple documents. The reports provide hope that Chinese scientists studying the unit may find it extremely difficult, "the undulation of the on-light on the G4 may cause apathy, contentment and feelings of euphoria to G4 users. There is a slightly less likely chance that users will want want to drop acid, drop out of college and not wear shoes to work for at least three years. Lasting effects may include black turtlenecks and unkempt beards."